The Daily Six: Simple Steps to Prosperity and Purpose (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: daily quiet time, gratitude list, Daily Six, Gift of Desperation, John Gray (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

More books about spiritual renewal have hit the shelves of business and management literature in recent years, as a generation of kinder, gentler leaders comes of age. Compared to earlier practitioners of the proverbial stiff upper lip, this new group of leaders grapples more openly with issues of burnout and emotions generally, and finds solace in books such as Resonant Leadership and The One Minute Manager Balances Work and Life. Following in this tradition comes The Daily Six, which offers its own recipe for business leaders seeking to preserve their mental health amid stressful environments.

Author John Chappelear writes from personal experience. A classically driven, Type A personality, he opens his book by telling readers about his own entrepreneurial adventures, first in building a 50-person company, then his subsequent fall from the grace of a "multi-million dollar business, a beautiful home on the Potomac River, luxury cars, and more." Chappealear lost his way, he explains, due to a lack of perspective on his own situation, which in turn rearranged his values and left him making poor, ill-considered decisions. Without the ability to balance prosperity with purpose, he quickly felt the strain of a difficult and unsustainable life, not to mention business situation.

Fortunately for readers, from the crucible of his experience, Chappelear has forged recommendations on how they can avoid fates similar to his. They come in the form of 6 values, or strategies, which he counsels business leaders to practice on a daily basis. The values are: willingness, quiet time for reflection or meditation, love and forgiveness, service to others, gratitude, and action.

How individuals will practice the book's "Daily Six" recommendations may differ. What Chappelears offers is commentary on why they should adopt these six values or practices over others. Not every reader will enjoy the emotionally open, psychologically candid nature of this book. However, those who want a tonic from the everyday humdrum of business, and who want practical suggestions on how they can turn toxic situations into tolerable ones, could do worse than to consult Chappelear's manual for self-improvement. The small steps it recommends can lead to big changes. --Peter Han

From Publishers Weekly

Like other multimillionaires who have come before, the author, the former head of a very successful company, discovered that money doesn't buy happiness. And like others, he reduces his hard-earned wisdom to simple bromides to help others. After he was a no-show for his own 1982 wedding anniversary party, his wife divorced him and he was separated from their daughters. He remarried happily and had a son, but in 1991 lost his overextended financial empire within 48 hours. This wake-up call motivated Chappelear, now an executive coach, to develop a six-point plan to bridge the chasm between fulfillment at work and at home. This warmly presented but less than novel program includes setting aside a daily quiet time, practicing forgiveness and acting to benefit others. Clearly directed at people who want to see their career flourish, the book offers advice on deepening relationships with co-workers and intimates. In a chapter on service, he suggests, for example, that holding the door for a strangeris a small step that can lead to volunteering for a prison mentoring program, an activity Chappelear considers a rewarding addition to his own life.
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: GP Putnam Business/Self Help; 1st edition (November 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399153020
• ISBN-13: 978-0399153020
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #683,341 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Book, November 14, 2005

By	Richard Ricci - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really enjoyed this book. I have seen John speak in person and about the only thing more powerful than reading this book, is to actually see John in action at one of his keynotes or coaching sessions. If you are a type A business man looking for a way to balance your professional and personal life, or just lost and looking for simple a way to maintain happiness, I would definitely recommend this book. A must read for just about anyone.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspirating book, November 18, 2005

By	Lauryl G (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews

The Daily Six is a roadmap to personal freedom. This book pin points what it takes to be a true success and clearly distinguishes the components in our lives that keep us from being as completely happy and successful as we should be. His book reveals just how truly simplistic life is and how you can be your best...read the book! He also makes a great motivational speaker. I heard him speak and he delivered such an inspiring message that I had to read his book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Enlightening Book, November 16, 2005

By	Pearl "Pearl" (Daytona Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews

John Chappelear's strategies in this book are life changing. I have heard him speak about his six strategies and it was a real eye opening experience that I recommend to every one.